GenDerations USA/Canada

On June 25, 2015 GenDerations Mentoring Intl. received the 501 c 3 non-profit status in the USA. Currently we are developing numerous aspects of launching the program in Santa Barbara/ California. We conducted two succesful Adult Mentor Trainings in 2015:

"The Mentor Training with Stefan provided me with a new approach, almost a new language of awareness to relate to people and youth specific. It also puts those I relate to into a different position of responding and engaging with me. The Mentor Training has a lasting, positive impact on all my relationships." -- Jerry Hatchet, Director of Tennis, Knowlwood TC, Montecito, CA

Stefan Hermann served the San Francisco Bay area as the first Executive Director of BoysToMen.

For the summer of 2016 we are planning a mentor training plus an Owl Weekend for 9-12 year olds and their parents/relatives in Santa Barbara. See also the video on the Owl Weekend on the India page.

Here are some additional samples of work with youth in Switzerland and South Africa.

The Honeyguide Weekend (same as "The Owl") outside of Johannesburg, South Africa

November 1-3, 2014 in Joburg we conducted the first GenDerations Weekend for 9-12 year old girls AND boys with a co-ed staff of 14 people. The training is called the “Honeyguide Weekend”. Mind you: until starting GenDerations we worked as BoysToMen Joburg exclusively with boys ages 12-17. It was an awesome experience in the African busch. Below are two pictures:

A group photo and the final circle where we hold a rope under tension at hip level, so that a participant can walk the rope as a symbolism for how the community got together in trust beyond the generation gap, beyond race and gender.

Here are a few testimonials on the Honeyguide Weekend:

“Firstly, huge praise to Stefan for a masterfully led weekend. Stefan, you held a gentle, clear and calm presence for both staff and children, and everyone has reported positive feedback from the weekend. In many cases, children are presenting themselves with a definite sense of a shift. I'm looking forward to this being at least an annual event on the Kairos and Boys to Men calendar.”

Marc Loon, Director Kairos School and Co-Founder BoysToMen Joburg

“I had lots of fun on the weekend. I learnt a lot about community, for example: trusting and relying on other people. Some people at school are kinder and more trustworthy towards me. Danica is more open towards to me - so when something's wrong with her and she is unhappy with something i have done, she tells me rather than keeping it to herself.”

Josh (10)

Dear alThank you so much for a precious worthwhile weekend.

I asked Koketso what was different, what stayed with him from the weekend. He replied 'it's inside...... it's a smile’. I asked him 'is this smile different from how your smile was before?' 'yes, mommy it's bigger.’ 'what does the smile say?’ 'i am happy' he repliedThank you and bless you allwith love